Going through a dental emergency can be traumatic for children. Depending on the nature of the emergency, there is a chance that your child will need to be sedated so the dentist can examine the teeth and move forward with the procedure. The sedation is needed not only to calm a scared child, and it also keeps the child still for delicate procedures. The following are some ways to keep you and your child from being too nervous at the thought of sedation:

Know What To Expect

The first things you need to do are listening to the dentist and ask questions. During a scary or traumatic time, it is not uncommon to have things explained more than once so that you are fully aware of what to expect. You may want to tell the child about what is going to happen if he or she is old enough to understand. Let the child know he or she will be asleep and reassure that there should be no pain felt while the dentist is working.

Keep Your Child Comfortable As Possible

Keeping a child comfortable is going to make a dental emergency much easier. After the procedure is over, he or she is still going to be somewhat drowsy and will want to fall straight to sleep. To help keep your child comfortable, dress them in clothing that is comfortable. Even pajamas would be fine. You may also want to bring along any items that make your child feel secure, such as a blanket, stuffed animal, doll, and so on.

Minimize Distractions

The stressors that come with the presence of your other kids can elevate a stressful dental emergency situation. If it is at all possible, try to leave your other children at home or with a sitter so that you can focus solely on your child with the dental emergency. This way, you will not be distracted with the needs of other kids while dealing with the child going through sedation and a major dental procedure.

After the dental procedure under sedation is complete, you will need to keep an eye on your child for a few hours when you get home. It is normal for him or her to feel tired because the sedation can take some time to wear off. If you notice any odd symptoms, such as shallow breaths or if your child will not wakeup, call 911 or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. For more information, contact a business such as Smile Makers Dental.